‘Edge of Darkness’

From the opening strains of ‘A Mighty Fortress is our God’ written by Martin Luther in 1529 as credits roll; to the ominous music of Franz Waxman as a Nazi Reconnaissance plane flies over the small Norwegian village of Trollness. The Co-Pilot thumbs thru a notebook to the current day October 1942 to make notes for his report. As he thumbs thru the pages we see the words: Poland1939,Holland1940,Belgium1940, andFrance1940. ThenNorwaySeptember 1942. All looks quiet serene, then they spot the Norwegian Flag flying from the highest point in town the Cannery. Flying your own countries flag in German occupied territory at the time was a big ‘No, No…’This story is told in Flash back after the Investigative Landing party arrives and finds, dead bodies littering the streets…soldiers and civilians alike. The Nazi Captain (Helmut Dantine) is found at Nazi headquarters with a bullet hole in his head. This movie did not win any awards. It was released by Warner Brothers April of 1943. As Rochellelynn knows, I am a sucker for Warner Brothers, especially Errol Flynn and who better to play the strong female lead in this movie but Ann Sheridan.

The movie is classichollywood’s version of impending danger, hidden strength, determination, and a ‘that’s all I can stands, I can’t stands no more’ frame of mind. Slave labor and concentration camps also find their way into the dialog. Character actors abound in this movie, I’ll only name a few, the great Walter Huston, Ruth Gordon, Henry Brandon, Nancy Coleman, and in a more sympathetic role; the infamous ‘Mrs. Danvers’…Judith Anderson.

The movie closes with extreme patriotism shown by its citizens; persistence, sacrifice, resolution, and unyielding belief in one another.

‘If there is anyone that still wonders why this war is being fought, let him look to Norway’

‘If there is anyone who still has any delusions that this war could have been averted, let him look to Norway’

‘And if there is anyone who doubts of the democratic will to win; again I say let him look to Norway’ FDR